Sweet apples, crunchy celery and juicy chicken breasts combine with curry flavors and creamy yogurt in this delicious and healthy salad.
Chicken salad is a classic recipe that brings back many childhood memories of my beloved Miracle Whip. It was a sad day when I discovered the main ingredient was corn syrup so I try to use it sparingly, if at all. The good news is that plain yogurt has come to the rescue.
Before you shun me, let me give you a few tips for replacing mayo or sour cream with plain yogurt. It is important to replace the fat with additional flavor. Since much of what we love about mayo and sour cream is the rich, decadent mouthfeel that comes from the fat it is important to make up for it with natural flavor enhancers.
If you’re making tuna salad, add in freshly chopped herbs such as basil or dill. Making tacos? Add a little lime zest and fresh lime juice to sour cream before serving.
When it comes to chicken salad which always reminds me of Miracle Whip, I love adding antioxidant-packed curry powder and a splash of fresh lemon juice. For added sweetness (to make up for the missing corn syrup), I add in chopped apples. Red grapes work well too!
Of course, I’m not perfect and I’m yet to discover a perfect egg and ham sandwich without Miracle Whip. Maybe one day… ;-)
Your fork is waiting.
Curried Chicken Salad with Apples
Ingredients
- 8 oz cooked chicken breasts cubed
- 4 celery stalks minced
- 1 apple diced
- ½ cup plain low fat yogurt
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, curry powder, lemon juice and salt.
- Stir in chicken, celery and apple. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
Mariam
Yum!! Can I use Greek yougurt? May try this this week for lunch!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes Greek yogurt would work fine!
Liz
Nice salad – thank you, Liz
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Liz!
Rebecca from the Fieldhouse Kitchen
I absolutely LOVE curried chicken salad. My sister and I grew up loving chicken salad and curried has always been my favorite kind. I can’t wait to make this for her the next time she comes to visit. Nothing beats a flavorful, healthy chicken salad wrap! Thanks for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
Same here Rebecca!!! I hope you enjoy this version as much as we did. It’s also great with dried cranberries. Enjoy!!
Melissa
I made this recipe tonight with coconut yogurt because my family is dairy free and it is super yummy.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Melissa
Hi Liz, This looks amazing, we are a curry loving family but we are dairy free and soy free are there any suggestions on what to use instead of those?
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Melissa – Just swap out your favorite vegan mayo for the yogurt! Enjoy!
Jo Anne Tell
You can make your own Miracle Whip, here’s a link to a recipe:
http://makeitfromscratch.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-miracle-whip.html
My husband also grew up on the stuff, and we had stopped using it when we realized all the bad ingredients that were in it. So, now I have a recipe to make my own…won’t hubby be surprised!
Liz DellaCroce
Omg I should make it!!! I’m going to check out that recipe. :) Thank you!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste
I’ve been on the hunt for a kicked up chicken salad recipe and yours looks like the perfect answer to my taste buds’ prayers!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh good!! Let me know what you think Kelly!
Nicole, RD
This looks fabulous! I’ve made curried chicken salad before…but the apple touch? Lovely!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you!! The sweetness is such a good balance!
Ani
I love using yogurt in place of sour cream and mayo!
Any tips on using yogurt in baked goods? I’ve seen recipes that replace some of the oil or butter with yogurt, but do you know of any formula that I can apply to some of my favorite recipes?
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
I use yogurt all the time!! Typically I replace half of the oil with yogurt. Hope that helps!!
Ani
Yes! Thank you! I’ve been afraid to try without being sure of the ratio!
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
Liz,
Why would anyone shun you? Everything in moderation, even Miracle Whip. Heck, it even says ‘miracle’ in the name!
This salad looks so fresh and yummy–perfect for a blast of spring/summer on s snowy day.
Lovely photos.
Thanks!
Shari|Tickled Red
This. Sounds. Amazing!
Cookin Canuck
Okay, I can’t do Miracle Whip, but I can definitely get behind your curry yogurt dressing. I would love a serving of this for lunch.
Liz DellaCroce
I can’t do it anymore either..thank goodness for yogurt! :)
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Love the curry in this! Great tips for upping the flavor when replacing fat!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Jessica!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Love the curry in this! I’ve never tried curry in egg salad but I’m so intrigued by it! Will definitely have to try soon.
Liz DellaCroce
I bet it would be great with egg salad as well as chicken salad!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Love yogurt in chicken salads. Mayo is so overrated and unhealthy anyways.
Liz DellaCroce
I totally agree!!
sally @ sallys baking addiction
I’ve never made chicken salad with curry before! But I always am sure to add apples. Curry is something new and fantastic sounding to try in it though. :)
Liz DellaCroce
You must try it!!! You won’t believe how well it pairs with the sweetness from the apples. :-)
Anne @The Cooking Campaign
LOVE Curried Chicken Salad! Can’t wait to try this.
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!!
Paula - bell'alimento
I always add curry powder to my chicken salad too! Loverly.
Liz DellaCroce
It’s the best isn’t it? Thank you my dear!
Sandy @ RE
This is one of my favorite all-time recipes that I’ve made often for bridal and baby showers. Love it!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s perfect for showers!! Such a great idea!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
This is the only way I’ll ever eat chicken salad. Doesn’t the curry add such a freaking awesome flavor?
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! It is seriously insane – I don’t know why I don’t make this more often!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs
Thanks for not using mayo! That’s the one thing I don’t like about most chicken salads. This version looks fabulous!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m the same way – not a big fan of regular mayo!
Aggie
Yes! Love curry salad of all kinds, such great flavor. The sweet crunch from the apple in this is perfect :)
Liz DellaCroce
I do too!! Mmm… curry.
taylor @ taylormade
when I saw you post this on instagram, I immediately wanted to reach into my screen and eat it! looks like SUCH a wonderful combination of flavors. plus, so healthy! I’d probably try it with greek yogurt for some extra tang & protein :)
Liz DellaCroce
Greek yogurt would be perfect!! Let me know what you think!
Julia
This look delicious. There is a restaurant I go to that has a curried chicken salad that I love. This reminds me of it. My husband refuses to eat chicken salad because he associates it with mayo–hopefully I can change his mind with yogurt.
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
what a simple yet delicioussssly healthy treat :)
Liz DellaCroce
I couldn’t agree more!! :-)
Tiffany the Dietitian
I love the tips on cutting fat by using plain yogurt and herbs/spices. I do this a lot at home, and it makes a big difference nutritionally. Thanks for the recipe :)
Liz DellaCroce
I completely agree!! Thank you so much!!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
It’s big-time hard for me to resist a curry chicken salad. I love this with yogurt and apples, nice!! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Me too – the flavors are just so classic and delicious!!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
Gah – why oh why do I have to be allergic to curry? This looks SO good! Love all of those ingredients!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh my goodness allergic to curry?? Dangit!!!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
Looks delish!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you my dear!! xo
Cassie | Bake Your Day
I love the curry powder here. Chicken salad is a favorite of mine!
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!! I would eat curried foods every day. :-)
addie | culicurious
Love this recipe, Liz. I’m a big fan of curry, chicken salad and apples. Well done. :) I also try to stay away from HFCS and regular CS. Yogurt and sour cream are my “go-to’s” as well.
katie
never thought to make a curry style chicken salad! love it–and i’m sure the apples compliment it well!
Liz DellaCroce
You will love the curry with the chicken and the apples are the perfect sweet balance. :)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
I am currently on a chicken salad kick and this looks amazing! Curry and Chicken are two peas in a pod! Love!
Liz DellaCroce
I totally agree!!!! Thank you Lauren!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
I. LOVE. THIS. And I wanna eat it right now.
Liz DellaCroce
You need to eat this right now!!!